Former Pakistan Player Kamran Akmal Blasts PCB Over Azhar Mahmood Test Coach Appointment

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has launched a strong critique against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their decision to appoint Azhar Mahmood as the interim coach of the Test team.

Akmal voiced his concerns on 'The Game Plan' podcast, stating, "I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision. It’s exactly like the time PCB made Mickey Arthur director of cricket while allowing him to continue working with a county team. I couldn’t understand it then, and I can’t understand it now."

Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistan all-rounder, becomes the seventh Test head coach for Pakistan since 2021, succeeding Aaqib Javed.

Akmal further elaborated, "That role (Arthur’s) has continued, and it has brought many issues into Pakistan cricket. The same thing is now happening with the interim coaching setup. Before this, it was Aaqib Javed, then Mohammad Hafeez and now Azhar."

He criticized the PCB's approach, stating, "These decisions reflect a lack of seriousness. When the PCB starts thinking seriously and acting professionally, it won’t have to make such compromises or temporary appointments."

With Azhar's appointment being temporary, Pakistan is set to begin the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle under uncertain circumstances. In the previous WTC cycle, the team finished at the bottom of the table, securing only five wins out of fourteen matches. Following the series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan will face a three-Test tour of England, their only three-match series in this WTC cycle and their first Test tour of England since 2020.

Akmal questioned the rationale behind the decision, saying, "Everyone has been appeased, and now Azhar has also been rewarded. If you’ve made him head coach, then give him the full time and responsibility. Otherwise, what’s the point?”